Body Satisfaction and Weight Loss in Women College Students

Chaung, Seung Kyo; Min, So Young

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify body satisfaction and weight loss experience according to individual's discrepancy between obesity by BMI (body mass index) and self-assessment. METHOD: The data were obtained by measuring height, weight and using a questionnaire to obtain data on self-assessment of obesity, body satisfaction and weight loss experience. The participants were 286 women college students in J city, Chungbuk.
RESULTS
The mean BMI of the women college students was 21.4+/-2.93kg/m2 which is within the normal range. The concordance rates between obesity by BMI and self-assessment were 54.1%, 39.9%, 61.5%, 78.6% (Kappa=.29) in underweight, normal, overweight, obese students respectively. Forty seven percent of students who were not obese (BMI <23kg/m2) assessed themselves as obese. The mean body satisfaction of college students was very low and 64.3% of the students had a weight loss experience. The students who perceived themselves to be 'obese' even when their BMI was under 23kg/m2 reported lower body satisfaction and higher weight loss experience than other students.
CONCLUSION
There were significant discrepancies between obesity by BMI and self-assessment in women college students. The self-assessment of obesity had a greater effect on body satisfaction and weight loss experience than actual BMI in women college students.